Veteran left-hander Jordan Montgomery and the Texas Rangers officially agreed to a one-year, $1.25 million contract on Friday.
Montgomery, who played a key role in Texas’ 2023 World Series championship after being acquired at the trade deadline, is not expected to be ready for Opening Day as he continues his recovery from a second elbow reconstruction procedure. The 33-year-old can also earn additional money through performance-based incentives.
To clear space on the 40-man roster, Texas designated right-hander Zak Kent for assignment. Kent had been claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals just last month.
Montgomery was pitching for St. Louis in 2023 before being traded to Texas. He went 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA in 11 regular-season appearances for the Rangers, then won two games in the AL Championship Series — including the decisive Game 7 in Houston. Overall, he posted a 3-1 record in six postseason games, with his lone loss coming in Game 2 of the World Series against Arizona.
After the championship run, Montgomery departed in free agency and signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He finished 8-7 with a 6.23 ERA in 2024 before missing all of last season.
Depending on how his recovery progresses, Jordan Montgomery could give the Texas Rangers added rotation depth in the second half of the season. His most recent elbow reconstruction was performed by Dr. Keith Meister, one of the club’s team physicians.
Montgomery previously underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018, a procedure carried out by Dr. Christopher Ahmad, who at the time served as a team physician for the New York Yankees.
Across eight major league seasons with the Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Rangers, and Arizona Diamondbacks, Montgomery owns a 46-41 record with a 4.03 ERA in 166 appearances, including 161 starts.
